The parasol wing configuration goes back to the earliest days of powered flight.  One such example is the Morane-Saulnier Type L, the plane that helped Roland Garros become arguably the world’s first true fighter pilot in 1915. That the same Roland Garros after which the French Open tennis tournament is named—Garros was an avid tennis player.

The simplicity of the parasol monoplane has long had a special allure for homebuilders.  Bernie Pietenpol’s Air Camper and Ed Heath’s Parasol were two popular in the USA in the 1930s.  Across the pond, the Luton Minor parasol design was built in small numbers as a production aircraft before WWII and in larger numbers as a homebuilt aircraft after the war.  Today there are still a few Luton Minors puttering about and emerging from garden sheds and garages mostly in the UK.

Eric Clutton knows the Luton Minor well from his days as an inspector for the Popular Flying Association (PFA), today the Light Aircraft Association (LAA), the British sport aviation organization.  In fact, Eric did the initial test flights of Luton Minor G-AYSK built by his close friend, the late Lionel Plant.  

Admit it, you are wondering when I will get to the point.  Well, Steve Slater maintains the Luton Minor web site but actually flies…a Clutton FRED!  He also flies a classic Tipsy B, but there isn’t enough space here for me to tell you how jealous that makes me.  So, why not take a look at Steve Slater’s article on Clutton FRED B-GMSL and take some time to explore his site.  Steve has sent along a number of fine photos of G-BMSL which you can find in the FRED worldwide photo gallery.  

Photo:  Clutton FRED G-BMMF shares the Dunkeswell apron with Luton Minor G-BBCY in 1994, their similar paint schemes accentuating the family resemblance in a photo by the late Peter Fitzmaurice.  Courtesy of Susan Fitzmaurice.